Vehicle lighting structure

ABSTRACT

A first lamp assembly has a first side surface with a first light passage and a hollow interior with a first light dispersing member disposed therein. The first light dispersing member is positioned to receive light emitted through the first light passage and emit light received via the first light passage. The second lamp assembly has a hollow interior with a first lighting device disposed therein, and a second side surface with a second light passage. The first lighting device is positioned to emit light through the second light passage, such that when the second light passage and the first light passage are adjacent to one another with the first and second light passages being aligned, and with the first lighting device operating, the first lighting device emits light through the second light passage into the second light passage illuminating the first light dispersing member within the first lamp assembly.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a vehicle lighting structure.More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle lightingstructure having a first lamp assembly and a second lamp assemblymovable relative to one another, the second lamp assembly having anactive lighting element that emits light to the first lamp assemblyilluminating a passive light element within the first lamp assembly.

Background Information

Most vehicles typically include various lamp assemblies for illuminatingexterior areas about the vehicle. For example, most vehicles have a pairof vehicle headlamp assemblies in the front of the vehicle and a pair ofvehicle tail light assemblies in the rear of the vehicle. Vehicle lampassemblies typically function as parking lamps, daytime running lamps,fog lights, off-road utility lights as well as various other signalingdevices. In addition to providing light, tail light assemblies can alsobe decorative with respect to the vehicle. Many modern automotivevehicle lamp assemblies have begun using light emitting diodes (LEDs) asa form of lighting device. Automakers often combine two separatelighting devices for lamp units, such as using a light pipe and areflector structure to provide an aesthetically pleasing illuminatedappearance along the edges of a lamp assembly. In the case of vehicletail light assemblies, it has also been increasingly popular to mountthe vehicle tail light assemblies onto a movable panel of a vehicle,such as a trunk lid or a rear door.

SUMMARY

One object of the present disclosure is to provide a first lamp assemblywith a light dispersing member and a second lamp assembly separated fromthe first lamp assembly, the second lamp assembly being provided with alighting device that emits light aimed at the light dispersing membersuch that when the lighting device within the second lamp assembly isoperating the light dispersing member within the first lamp assemblyemits the light received from the lighting device.

In view of the state of the known technology, one aspect of the presentdisclosure is to provide a vehicle lighting structure with a first lampassembly and a second lamp assembly. The first lamp assembly has a firstattachment surface, a first transparent surface opposite the firstattachment surface, and a first side surface extending from the firsttransparent surface to the first attachment surface. The first sidesurface has a first light passage. The first lamp assembly also has ahollow interior that includes a first light dispersing member disposedwithin the hollow interior. The first light dispersing member ispositioned to receive light emitted through the first light passage andemit light received via the first light passage to the first transparentsurface. The second lamp assembly has a second attachment surface, asecond transparent surface opposite the second attachment surface and asecond side surface extending from the second transparent surface to thesecond attachment surface. The second side surface has a second lightpassage. The second lamp assembly also has a hollow interior with afirst lighting device disposed therein. The first lighting device ispositioned to emit light through the second light passage, such thatwhen the second light passage and the first light passage are adjacentto one another with the first and second light passages being aligned,and with the first lighting device operating, the first lighting deviceemits light through the second light passage into the first lightpassage illuminating the first light dispersing member within the firstlamp assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a vehicle body structure showing an opening anda closure member covering the opening, with a first lamp assemblyattached to the vehicle body structure adjacent to the opening and asecond lamp assembly attached to the closure member, with the first andsecond lamp assemblies being aligned with the closure member being in aclosed position in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle body structuredepicted in FIG. 1, showing the opening, the closure member, the firstlamp assembly and the second lamp assembly in accordance with the firstembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rear portion of the vehicle bodystructure showing the first lamp assembly and the second lamp assemblyaligned with one another with the closure member in the closed positionin accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first lamp assembly removed from thevehicle body structure showing an attachment surface and a side surfacethat includes a light passage in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the first light assemblyremoved from the vehicle body structure showing various elements of thefirst lamp assembly, including a first light dispersing member alignedwith the light passage in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second lamp assembly removed fromthe vehicle body structure showing a transparent surface and a sidesurface that includes a light passage in accordance with the firstembodiment;

FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the second lamp assembly showingan attachment surface and the light passage in accordance with the firstembodiment;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the second lamp assemblyshowing various elements of the second lamp assembly, including alighting device aligned with the light passage of the second lampassembly in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the lamp housing of the second lampassembly shown removed from the second lamp assembly, showing thelighting device in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the lamp housing of the secondlamp assembly shown removed from the second lamp assembly, showing thelighting device in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a top schematic view of the vehicle lighting structure,showing the first lamp assembly and the second lamp assembly with theclosure member in the closed position with the light passage of thefirst lamp assembly aligned with the light passage of the second lampassembly such that the lighting device of the second lamp assembly canemit light through the light passage of the second lamp assembly andthrough the light passage of the first lamp assembly in order illuminatethe first light dispersing member within the first lamp assembly inaccordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a cross-section schematic view of the vehicle lightingstructure taken along the line 12-12 in FIG. 11, showing the lightpassage of the first lamp assembly aligned with the light passage of thesecond lamp assembly such that the lighting device of the second lampassembly can emit light through the light passage of the second lampassembly and through the light passage of the first lamp assembly inorder illuminate the first light dispersing member within the first lampassembly in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a control system operable to operate thelighting device of the second lamp assembly in response to movement ofthe closure member in accordance with the first embodiment; and

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional top view of a first lamp assembly and asecond lamp assembly in accordance with a second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to thedrawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments areprovided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting theinvention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle 10 is illustrated thathas a vehicle lighting structure that includes a first lamp assembly 12and a second lamp assembly 14. In the depicted embodiments, when thefirst and second lamp assemblies 12 and 14 are adjacent to one another,combined they have the appearance of being a single structure, as shownin FIG. 3. However, as is described in greater detail below, the firstlamp assembly 12 and the second lamp assembly 14 are separate structuresthat are movable relative to one another.

In the depicted embodiment, the first lamp assembly 12 and the secondlamp assembly 14 are shown with specific contours and shapes. However,it should be understood from the drawings and the description hereinthat the depicted overall design and shapes of the first lamp assembly12 and the second lamp assembly 14 are merely one example of suchstructures and that the disclosure is not limited to the depicteddesign. In other words, the first lamp assembly 12 and the second lampassembly 14 can have differing shapes and contours and still fall withinthe scope of the accompanying claims.

The vehicle 10 has a vehicle body structure 16 that includes two pairsof the first lamp assembly 12 and the second lamp assembly 14, one pairbeing installed at a left rear corner 22 of the vehicle body structure16 and the other provided at a right rear corner 24 of the vehicle bodystructure 16. The two pairs of the first lamp assembly 12 and the secondlamp assembly 14 are functionally and structurally identical except thatthey are mirror images of one another (symmetrical about a longitudinalcenter line of the vehicle 10). Since the two pairs of the first lampassembly 12 and the second lamp assembly 14 are basically the same,description of only one pair of the first lamp assembly 12 and thesecond lamp assembly 14 is provided below for the sake of brevity, butapplies equally to both pairs.

The vehicle body structure 16 is a conventional structure that isconfigured to accommodate the first and second lamp assemblies 12 and14. While the vehicle 10 is illustrated as a sedan, it will be apparentto those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the first andsecond lamp assemblies 12 and 14 can be configured to be used with othervehicle body styles. In the illustrated embodiment of the vehicle 10,the vehicle body structure 16 is made of one or more body panels to forma unibody construction. Alternatively, the vehicle body structure 16 canbe a body that is mounted on a frame.

As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle body structure 16 has at least onestationary body panel that at least partially defines an access opening20, which is an opening that accesses a trunk of the vehicle 10. Amovable body panel 18 (a closure member) is movably mounted on thevehicle body structure 16 between a closed position (FIG. 1) and an openposition.

The movable body panel 18 is a trunk lid that is hinged to the vehiclebody structure 16 to selectively close and open the access opening 20 ina conventional manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the movable bodypanel 18 has a peripheral edge 18 a that aligns with a peripheral edge20 a of the access opening 20 for the vehicle 10. One of the first andsecond lamp assemblies 12 and 14 is mounted on the vehicle bodystructure 16 and the other of the first lamp assembly 12 and the secondlamp assembly 14 is mounted on the movable body panel 18. In thedepicted embodiment, the first lamp assembly 12 is mounted to astationary fender section of the vehicle body structure 16 with one edgethereof being adjacent to a peripheral edge 20 a of the access opening,and the second tail lamp assembly 14 is mounted on the movable bodypanel 18 with one edge being adjacent to the peripheral edge 18 a of themovable body panel 18. As is described in greater detail below, when themovable body panel 18 is in the closed position (FIGS. 1 and 3), thefirst and second lamp assemblies 12 and 14 are aligned with one anotherin a manner described in greater detail below. However, it should beunderstood from the drawings and the description herein thatalternatively the first lamp assembly 12 can be mounted to the movablebody panel 18 and the second lamp assembly 14 can be mounted to thestationary fender section of the vehicle body structure 16.

As is described further below, when aligned and operating, the secondlamp assembly 14 includes an illumination device (lighting device L₄)that emits light to the first lamp assembly 12, which includes a passivelight element (first light dispersing member 30), such that lightemitted from the second lamp assembly 14 is received by the first lampassembly 12 causing the first lamp assembly 12 to be illuminated andemit light.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the first lamp assembly 12 basically includes alamp housing 26, a bezel member 28, a first light dispersing member 30,a second light dispersing member 31, a transparent outer lens cover 32,a transparent inner lens cover 34 and an inner frame member 36. Theoverall shapes and configurations of the transparent outer lens cover32, the transparent inner lens cover 34 and the inner frame member 36depend on the design of the lamp housing 26, the bezel member 28 and thelight dispersing member 30. In other words, the transparent outer lenscover 32, the transparent inner lens cover 34 and the inner frame member36 are configured to complement the shapes and overall designs of thelamp housing 26, the bezel member 28 and the light dispersing member 30.

The first lamp assembly 12 includes an attachment surface 12 a definedalong the lamp housing 26, as shown in FIG. 4, a transparent surface 12b defined along the transparent outer lens cover 32 as shown in FIGS. 3and 5, and a side surface 12 c as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The attachmentsurface 12 a includes attachment structures (such as mechanicalfastening elements) that facilitate attachment to the vehicle bodystructure 16 in a conventional manner.

The bezel member 28, the light dispersing member 30, the transparentinner lens cover 34 and the inner frame member 36 are all disposedinside an internal lamp space that is defined by the transparent outerlens cover 32 and is fastened to the lamp housing 26. Specifically, thebezel member 28 and the inner frame member 36 are fixedly mounted to thelamp housing 26 by a plurality of fasteners. The first light dispersingmember 30 and the second light dispersing member 31 are supported on thebezel member 28 by snap-fitting clips (not shown) in a conventionalmanner.

The transparent inner lens cover 34 is mounted to the bezel member 28 tooverlie the light emitting portions of the first light dispersing member30 and the second light dispersing member 31. The transparent inner lenscover 34 diffuses the light that is emitted from the light emittingportions of the first and second light dispersing members 30 and 31. Theinner frame member 36 is also preferably attached to the bezel member 28by a snap-fit arrangement. The inner frame member 36 aids in fasteningand positioning the transparent inner lens cover 34 with respect to thebezel member 28. A further detailed description of an example of thedesign and function of each of the lamp housing 26, the bezel member 28,the transparent outer lens cover 32, the transparent inner lens cover 34and the inner frame member 36 can be found in co-pending and commonlyassigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/612,565, filed Feb. 3, 2015(assigned to Nissan North America, Inc.). U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/612,565 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As seen in FIG. 5, the first lamp assembly 12 further includes a turnsignal light 38 that is mounted to the lamp housing 26. The turn signallight 38 emits light that shines through a portion of the transparentouter lens cover 32. In other words, the turn signal light 38 ispositioned to illuminate a central portion of the transparent outer lenscover 32 inside the transparent inner lens cover 34. Thus, the lightemitted from the turn signal light 38 does not pass through the firstlight dispersing member 30, the second light dispersing member 31 andthe transparent inner lens cover 34.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first lamp assembly 12 further includes acircuit board 40 that controls the operation and functions of a lightingdevice L₁ that illuminates the first light dispersing member 30 in aconventional manner. Specifically, when a vehicle operator turns eitherparking or headlights on, the circuit board 40 is provided with powerand illuminates the lighting device L₁ in a conventional manner. Thelighting device L₁ on the circuit board 40 is, for example, an LED thatemits light to an adjacent end of the first light dispersing member 30.In the depicted embodiment, the first light dispersing member 30 is anoptical element that illuminates when provided with light from thelighting device L₁.

In the depicted embodiment, the first light dispersing member 30 and thesecond light dispersing member 31 are formed from a material that cantransmit and diffuse light in preselected amounts across the length ofthe first and second light dispersing members 30 and 31. The first lightdispersing member 30 and the second light dispersing member 31 are knownin the art as light pipes that emit light along their length whenilluminated from one end thereof. Since light pipes are conventionallighting members, further description is omitted for the sake ofbrevity. However, it should be understood from the drawings and thedescription herein that the first and second light dispersing members 30and 31 can alternatively be reflective elements, such as parabolicmirrors, or other similar constructs that receive light from a remotelight source and reflect, radiate, disperse or otherwise emit that lightoutward and away from itself.

In the depicted embodiment, the first light dispersing member 30 isilluminated by the lighting device L₁ of the circuit board 40.Specifically, the first light dispersing member 30 is activelyilluminated by a light source located within the first lamp assembly 12.As is described in greater detail below, the second light dispersingmember 31 is illuminated by a light source that is not located withinthe first lamp assembly 12, but instead is located within the secondlamp assembly 14. In other words, the first lamp assembly 12 includesthe circuit board 40 that illuminates the first light dispensing member30, and does not include any device or circuitry that would otherwiseilluminate the second light dispensing member 31. Hence, the first lightdispersing member 30 is actively illuminated from within the first lampassembly 12, while the second light dispensing member 31 is a passivelighting member within the first lamp assembly 12.

In order for light to be directed to the second light dispensing member31 from outside the first lamp assembly 12, the side surface 12 c of thefirst lamp assembly 12 is provided with a light passage 32 a. Morespecifically, the transparent outer lens cover 32 is provide with thelight passage 32 a. The light passage 32 a can take any of a variety offorms. For example, the light passage 32 a can be a transparent portionof the transparent outer lens cover 32 at an upper area of the sidesurface 12 c of the first lamp assembly 12, or can be a lens molded intoor inserted into an aperture formed in the transparent lens cover 32.The location of the light passage 32 a is predetermined such that thelight passage 32 a aligns with an adjacent end of the second lightdispensing member 31 with the first lamp assembly 12 being fullyassembled.

A description of the second lamp assembly 14 is now provided withspecific reference to FIGS. 6-10. The second lamp assembly 14 basicallyincludes a lamp housing 126, a bezel member 128, a light dispersingmember 130, a transparent outer lens cover 132, a transparent inner lenscover 134 and an inner frame member 136. The overall shapes andconfigurations of the transparent outer lens cover 132, the transparentinner lens cover 134 and the inner frame member 136 depend on the designof the lamp housing 126, the bezel member 128 and the light dispersingmember 130. In other words, the transparent outer lens cover 132, thetransparent inner lens cover 134 and the inner frame member 136 areconfigured to complement the shapes and overall designs of the lamphousing 126, the bezel member 128 and the light dispersing member 130.

The second lamp assembly 14 includes an attachment surface 14 a definedalong the lamp housing 126, as shown in FIG. 7, a transparent surface 14b defined along the transparent outer lens cover 132 as shown in FIGS. 6and 8, and a side surface 14 c as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The attachmentsurface 14 a includes attachment structures (such as mechanicalfastening elements) that facilitate attachment to the movable body panel18 (the trunk lid) in a conventional manner, such that the second lampassembly 14 moves with the movable body panel 18 between the closedposition and an open position.

The bezel member 128, the light dispersing member 130, the transparentinner lens cover 134 and the inner frame member 136 are all disposedinside an internal lamp space that is defined by the transparent outerlens cover 132 and is fastened to the lamp housing 126. Specifically,the bezel member 128 and the inner frame member 136 are fixedly mountedto the lamp housing 126 by a plurality of fasteners. The lightdispersing member 130 is supported on the bezel member 128 bysnap-fitting clips (not shown) in a conventional manner.

The transparent inner lens cover 134 is mounted to the bezel member 128to overlie the light emitting portions of the light dispersing member130. The transparent inner lens cover 134 diffuses the light that isemitted from the light emitting portions of the light dispersing members130. The inner frame member 136 is also preferably attached to the bezelmember 128 by a snap-fit arrangement. The inner frame member 136 aids infastening and positioning the transparent inner lens cover 134 withrespect to the bezel member 128. A further detailed description of anexample of the design and function of each of the lamp housing 126, thebezel member 128, the transparent outer lens cover 132, the transparentinner lens cover 134 and the inner frame member 136 can be found inco-pending and commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/612,565, filed Feb. 3, 2015 (assigned to Nissan North America, Inc.).U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/612,565 is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

As seen in FIG. 8, the second lamp assembly 14 further includes a backuplight 138 that is mounted to the lamp housing 126. The backup light 138emits light that shines through a portion of the transparent outer lenscover 132. In other words, the backup light 138 is positioned toilluminate a central portion of the transparent outer lens cover 132inside the transparent inner lens cover 134. Thus, the light emittedfrom the backup light 138 does not pass through the light dispersingmember 130 and the transparent inner lens cover 134.

As shown in FIGS. 8-10, the second lamp assembly 14 further includes acircuit board 140 that controls the operation and functions of alighting device L₂ (FIGS. 11 and 12) that illuminates the lightdispersing member 130 in a conventional manner. Specifically, when avehicle operator turns either parking or headlights on in a conventionalmanner, the circuit board 140 is provided with power and illuminates thelighting device. The lighting device L₂ on the circuit board 140 is, forexample, an LED that emits light to an adjacent end of the lightdispersing member 130. In the depicted embodiment, the light dispersingmember 130 is an optical element that illuminates when provided withlight from the lighting device L₂.

Like the first light dispensing member 30 described above, the lightdispersing member 130 is formed from a material that can transmit anddiffuse light in preselected amounts across the length of the lightdispersing member 130. The light dispersing member 130 is basicallyanother light pipe that emit light along its length when illuminatedfrom one end thereof.

In the depicted embodiment, the light dispersing member 130 has acrescent shape as shown in FIG. 8. The light dispersing member 130 canbe illuminated solely by the lighting device L₂ of the circuit board140, but can additionally be illuminated by another lighting device L₃,as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12.

The circuit board 140 additionally includes a lighting device L₄ locatedon a side of the circuit panel 140 opposite the lighting device L₂. Thelighting device L₂ is positioned to emit light to the second lightdispensing member 31 of the first light assembly 14 thereby illuminatingthe second light dispensing member 31 of the first light assembly 14.

In order for light emitted from the lighting device L₄ to be received bythe second light dispensing member 31 of the first light assembly 14,the side surface 14 c of the second lamp assembly 14 is provided with alight passage 132 a. The light passage 132 a can take any of a varietyof forms. For example, the light passage 132 a can be a transparentportion of the transparent outer lens cover 132 at an upper area of theside surface 12 c of the second lamp assembly 14, or can be a lensmolded into or inserted into an aperture formed in the transparent lenscover 32. The location of the light passage 32 a is predetermined suchthat the light passages 32 a and 132 a align when the movable body panel18 is in the closed position with the side surface 12 a and the sidesurface 14 a are side by side, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

FIGS. 11 and 12 shown that with the movable body panel 18 in the closedposition, the lighting device L₄, the light passage 132 a, the lightpassage 32 a and an end 31 a of the second light dispersing member 31align. In this condition, when the lighting device L₄ is operated and isemitting light L, the light L passes through the light passage 132 a andthrough the light passage 32 a. The end 31 a of the second lightdispersing member 31 receives the light L and is illuminated by receiptof the light L.

It should be understood from the drawings and the description herein,that it is not necessary for the lighting device L₄, the light passage132 a, the light passage 32 a and an end 31 a of the second lightdispersing member 31 to be perfectly aligned with one another in orderfor the second light dispersing member 31 to be illuminated by the lightL from the lighting device L₄. Rather, as long as at least a portion ofthe light L emitted the lighting device L₄ is directly aimed at the end31 a of the second light dispersing member 31, the second lightdispersing member 31 can be illuminated. For example, the lightingdevice L₄ is an LED that emits strong and intense rays of light. Thelighting device L₄, the light passage 132 a and the light passage 32 acan be configured either by dimensioning, location and/or viaconventional optical arrangements, to narrow the light L from thelighting device L₄ to a circular beam that is aimed at the end 31 a ofthe second light dispersing member 31. Even if such a circular beam ofthe light L overlaps with only 50% of the surface area of the end 31 aof the second light dispersing member 31, the second light dispersingmember 31 will be illuminated by the light L.

When the lighting device L₄ is operating and aiming emitting light L tothe end 31 a of the second light dispersing member 31, there is apossibility of light leakage into a gap G defined between the first lampassembly 12 and the second lamp assembly 14 (see FIG. 11). At night suchleakage of light is undesirable. To avoid such leakage, a rear corner 12d of the first lamp assembly 12 along an edge of the transparent surface12 b can be provided with a curved contour, as shown in FIG. 11. A rearcorner 14 d of the second lamp assembly 14 along an edge of thetransparent surface 14 b can be provided with a complementary curvedprojection, as is also shown in FIG. 11. The projection of the rearcorner 14 d defines a shield that blocks light L from the lightingdevice L₄ from being emitted directly rearward from the vehicle bodystructure 16.

When the movable body panel 18 is moved from the closed position to anopen position, the lighting device L₄ and the end 31 a of the secondlight dispersing member 31 will no longer be in alignment, and thesecond light dispersing member 31 will cease to be illuminated by thelighting device L₄. As shown in FIG. 13, the vehicle body structure 16is provided with a controller 200 that is connected to the circuit board140, a Headlamp/Tail Lamp sensor 202 and a trunk lid sensor 204. Thecircuit board 140 includes the lighting device L₄ and turns the lightingdevice L₄ on and off in response to operation of a light switch (notshown) on the instrument panel (not shown) of the vehicle 10, operatedby a vehicle operator. The Headlamp/Tail Lamp sensor 202 is connected tolighting circuits (not shown) within the vehicle 10 that includes thelight switch operated by the vehicle operator. The Headlamp/Tail Lampsensor 202 provides signals to the controller 200 indicating the currentoperational status of the vehicle lights.

The trunk lid sensor 204 is installed within the vehicle body structure16 so as to provide signals that indicate the positional status of themovable closure member 18.

When the vehicle operator turns the headlamps or parking lamps on, thecircuit board 140 turns the lighting device L₄ on thereby providinglight to the second light dispersing member 31. The Headlamp/Tail Lampsensor 202 provides signals to the controller 200 indicating thisstatus.

The controller 200 is configured to permit operation of the lightingdevice L₄ only when the movable body panel 18 is the closed positionshown in FIG. 1 and when the vehicle lights have been turned on. Thecontroller 200 monitors signals from the Headlamp/Tail Lamp sensor 202and the trunk lid sensor 204. When the lighting device L₄ isilluminated, and the trunk lid sensor 204 provides a signal indicatingthat the movable body panel 18 is in the closed position, the controller200 enables operation of the lighting device L₄. However, if the trunklid sensor 204 provides a signal indicating that the movable body panel18 is no longer in the closed position, the controller 200 ceasesoperation of the lighting device L₄.

Second Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 14, a first lamp assembly 12′ and a second lampassembly 14′ in accordance with a second embodiment will now beexplained. In view of the similarity between the first and secondembodiments, the parts of the second embodiment that are identical tothe parts of the first embodiment will be given the same referencenumerals as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover, thedescriptions of the parts of the second embodiment that are identical tothe parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for the sake ofbrevity. The parts of the second embodiment that differ from the partsof the first embodiment will be indicated with a single prime (′).

In the second embodiment, the first lamp assembly 12′ includes all ofthe features of the first lamp assembly 12 of the first embodiment,except that a rear corner 12 d′ of the first lamp assembly 12′ does notinclude the curved contour. The second lamp assembly 14′ includes all ofthe features of the first lamp assembly 14 of the first embodimentexcept that a rear corner 14 d′ of the second lamp assembly 14′ does notinclude a projection.

In the second embodiment, the second lamp assembly 14′ is provided withan elastic seal member S. The seal S at least partially blocks lightemitted by the lighting device L4 that might leak into the gap G betweenthe first lamp assembly 12′ and the second lamp assembly 14′.

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term“comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to beopen ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features,elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not excludethe presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups,integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words havingsimilar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and theirderivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or“element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of asingle part or a plurality of parts. Also as used herein to describe theabove embodiment, the following directional terms “forward”, “rearward”,“above”, “downward”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “below” and “transverse”as well as any other similar directional terms refer to those directionsof a vehicle equipped with the vehicle lighting structure. Accordingly,these terms, as utilized to describe the present invention should beinterpreted relative to a vehicle equipped with the vehicle lightingstructure.

The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately”as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modifiedterm such that the end result is not significantly changed.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location ororientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/ordesired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting eachother can have intermediate structures disposed between them. Thefunctions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. Thestructures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in anotherembodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in aparticular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is uniquefrom the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, alsoshould be considered a separate description of further inventions by theapplicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodiedby such feature. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodimentsaccording to the present invention are provided for illustration only,and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle lighting structure comprising: a firstlamp assembly having a first attachment surface, a first transparentsurface opposite the first attachment surface, and a first side surfaceextending from the first transparent surface to the first attachmentsurface, the first side surface having a first light passage, the firstlamp assembly having a hollow interior that includes a first lightdispersing member disposed within the hollow interior, the first lightdispersing member being positioned to receive light emitted through thefirst light passage and emit light received via the first light passageto the first transparent surface; and a second lamp assembly having asecond attachment surface, a second transparent surface opposite thesecond attachment surface and a second side surface extending from thesecond transparent surface to the second attachment surface, the secondside surface having a second light passage, the second lamp assemblyhaving a hollow interior with a first lighting device disposed therein,the first lighting device being positioned to emit light through thesecond light passage, such that when the second light passage and thefirst light passage are adjacent to one another with the first andsecond light passages being aligned, and with the first lighting deviceoperating, the first lighting device emits light through the secondlight passage into the first light passage illuminating the first lightdispersing member within the first lamp assembly.
 2. The vehiclelighting structure according to claim 1, wherein the second lampassembly includes a second lighting device and a second light dispersingmember positioned to receive light emitted by the second lightingdevice, the second light dispersing member further being positioned toemit light to the second transparent surface.
 3. The vehicle lightingstructure according to claim 2, wherein the second lamp assemblyincludes a circuit board with the first lighting device being fixed to afirst surface of the circuit board and the second lighting device beingfixed to a second surface of the circuit board opposite the firstsurface.
 4. The vehicle lighting structure according to claim 2, whereinthe first lighting device and the second lighting device are LEDs. 5.The vehicle lighting structure according to claim 1, wherein one of thefirst lamp assembly and the second lamp assembly includes a projectionthat protrudes from an edge of a corresponding one of the first sidesurface and the second side surface such that when the second lightpassage and the first light passage are adjacent to one another with thefirst and second light passages being aligned the projection at leastpartially blocks light leakage from the second light passage.
 6. Thevehicle lighting structure according to claim 5, wherein the projectionis an elastic seal member attached to the one of the first lamp assemblyand the second lamp assembly.
 7. The vehicle lighting structureaccording to claim 1, wherein the first light passage includes anoptical lens configured to focus light received from the second lightpassage to an adjacent end of the first light dispersing member.
 8. Thevehicle lighting structure according to claim 7, wherein the secondlight passage includes an optical lens configured to focus lightreceived from the first lighting device at the second light passage. 9.A vehicle lighting structure comprising: a vehicle body structure havingan outer body surface surrounding an opening; a closure member pivotallysupported to the vehicle body structure and movable between a closedorientation covering the opening and an open orientation exposing theopening; a first lamp assembly having an attachment surface attached tothe vehicle body structure adjacent to the opening, a transparentsurface opposite the attachment surface, and a side surface extendingfrom the light emitting surface to the attachment surface, the sidesurface having a first light passage, the first lamp assembly having ahollow interior that includes a light dispersing member disposed withinthe hollow interior, the light dispersing member being positioned toreceive light emitted through the first light passage; and a second lampassembly having an attachment surface attached to the closure member, atransparent surface opposite the attachment surface and a side surfaceextending from the transparent surface to the attachment surface, theside surface having a second light passage, the second lamp assemblyhaving a hollow interior with a first lighting device disposed therein,the first lighting device being positioned to emit light through thesecond light passage, such that with the closure member in the closedorientation, the second light passage and the first light passage areadjacent to one another and with the first lighting device operating,the first lighting device emits light through the second light passageinto the first light passage illuminating the light dispersing memberwithin the first lamp assembly.
 10. The vehicle lighting structureaccording to claim 9, wherein the second lamp assembly includes a secondlighting device and a second light dispersing member positioned toreceive light emitted by the second lighting device, the second lightdispersing member further being positioned to emit light to the secondtransparent surface.
 11. The vehicle lighting structure according toclaim 10, wherein the second lamp assembly includes a circuit board withthe first lighting device being fixed to a first surface of the circuitboard and the second lighting device being fixed to a second surface ofthe circuit board opposite the first surface.
 12. The vehicle lightingstructure according to claim 12, wherein the first lighting device andthe second lighting device are LEDs.
 13. The vehicle lighting structureaccording to claim 9, wherein one of the first lamp assembly and thesecond lamp assembly includes a projection that protrudes from an edgeof a corresponding one of the first side surface and the second sidesurface such that when the second light passage and the first lightpassage are adjacent to one another with the first and second lightpassages being aligned the projection at least partially blocks lightleakage from the second light passage.
 14. The vehicle lightingstructure according to claim 13, wherein the projection is an elasticseal member attached to the one of the first lamp assembly and thesecond lamp assembly.
 15. The vehicle lighting structure according toclaim 9, wherein the first light passage includes an optical lensconfigured to focus light received from the second light passage to anadjacent end of the first light dispersing member.
 16. The vehiclelighting structure according to claim 15, wherein the second lightpassage includes an optical lens configured to focus light received fromthe first lighting device at the second light passage.
 15. The vehiclelighting structure according to claim 9, wherein the first lamp assemblydefines a first upper edge and the second lamp assembly defines a secondupper edge that is aligned with the first upper edge with the closuremember in the closed orientation.
 16. The vehicle lighting structureaccording to claim 9, further comprising: a closure member sensor withinthe vehicle body structure that detects orientation of the closuremember; and a controller connected to the closure member sensor and thefirst lighting device, the controller being configured to operate thefirst lighting device in response to determining that the closure memberis in the closed orientation and cease operating the first lightingdevice in response to determining that the closure member is in the openorientation.